Khyber Pass Pub: Authentic Southern Fare In Old City Philadelphia

Despite the same old façade that looks more like a blacksmith's workshop than a restaurant, the striking change in the recently-reopened Khyber Pass Pub is their tasty fare.

With a deep-south focus, their menu features such classics as muffuletta, gumbo, fried oysters and Memphis-style fried chicken (be patient if you order this one).  Most importantly, though, the food captures the essence of that regions cuisine: the care and attention that is evident with each bite.  From the New Orleans Leidenheimer rolls for their po' boys to the Steen's cane syrup used in their Boudin Balls, it is obvious they've cut no corners in trying to deliver an authentic Southern menu. 

And they've nailed it.

To start, I tried the boiled peanuts (from the daily specials board) and the Boudin Balls.  The peanuts were perfect: salty, spicy and even sweet from some PBC Kenzinger added to the boil.  The Boudin balls – Louisiana-style sausage rolled into a ball and deep-fried – were not as heavy as I would have expected and the accompanying cane syrup-creole mustard sauce was delicious.  Next, I couldn't resist ordering the surf'n'turf po' boy, a classic combination of fried shrimp and roast beef (with its debris gravy) on a baguette with mayo, pickles, lettuce and tomato.  The baguette was fresh, the shrimp perfectly cooked and the roast beef tender and rich resulting in a simple but tasty sandwich that would be right at home in the parishes of New Orleans.

If you are looking for some authentic southern cooking north of the Mason-Dixon, the Khyber is certainly the place to be.  They have kept their menu simple and straight-forward and their prices low, just as they should be.  Combine all that with the Khyber's always rotating and great beer selection and you have something truly unique, delicious and certainly worth visiting.